The future of grappling has never looked brighter. The frenzy of excitement for the ADCC 2022 World Championships shows no sign of abating, and it's still eight months away. The continued growth of WNO and other professional no-gi events means athletes have more opportunities to showcase their skills and earn money than ever before.

The black belt class of 2021 is a who's who of top notch competitors, many of whom are likely to grace the top of black belt podiums in the coming months. Below are the athletes who earned the rank of black belt in December.

Day one of the IBJJF World Championships was filled with the action, submissions and incredible stories expected of an event of this caliber. Day two is sure to deliver as well, as the male purple and brown belts will take their place on the mats in search of the most coveted title in jiu-jitsu. With hundreds of competitors in search of just a few medals, we're guaranteed  thrilling action throughout the day.

The IBJJF World Championships gives jiu-jitsu fans an opportunity to watch their favorite veteran athletes as they hunt for a first, or a repeat world title. It’s a showcase for the best and most beloved grapplers on the planet. But it’s also an opportunity for brand new black belts to earn their recognition, try to ascend the ranks, and — perhaps — start dynastic runs atop the World podium.

Johnatha Alves was able to stop the surging Mica Galvao and claimed $10,000 in the process. Keenan Cornelius has pulled out of WNO but one of his black belts has stepped up to replace him, and a well-known champion from the women’s divisions will make her MMA debut. All this and more in this week’s Grappling Bulletin,.